Jo Piazza

Travel With Your Dog: Vermont's The Paw House Inn

by Jo Piazza (Subscribe to Jo Piazza's posts): Mar 5th 2010 @ 1:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Traveling with Pets

Paw House Inn

As the owners of a large and needy pooch, going away on vacation is always a struggle for my boyfriend Benny and me.

Lady, our 11-month-old Rhodesian ridgeback mix, can't bear to be owner-less for more than half a day. So when we decided to go on an impromptu ski trip to Vermont, putting Lady in a traditional kennel or leaving her with friends just wasn't an option. We found our salvation in the Paw House Inn, a bed-and-breakfast only two miles from the ski resort Mount Snow.

The Paw House Inn -- motto: "No Dog Left Behind" -- not only allows dogs, but caters to them and their human owners. After being frustrated for years with the difficulty of traveling with their two pooches, Mitch and Jen Frankenberg opened the Paw House in West Rutland, Vt., near the Killington ski resort. They later expanded to include the location at Mount Snow.

Benny and I packed our skis (and Lady) and drove the four hours from New York City to Vermont. Paw House is not kidding when they say dogs have their run of the place. Pets are allowed all over the hotel (except for the dining area, due to health codes). Lady was able to sleep with us in our antique four-poster bed, and cuddle by the fireplace in our room.

The Lowdown on Doggie Shedding

by Jo Piazza (Subscribe to Jo Piazza's posts): Jan 4th 2010 @ 11:00AM Filed Under: Dogs, Pet Health, Pet Grooming

Flickr/smile4camera

Most dogs shed. Even the ones that the breeder or pet store call "no shed dogs" are still bound to leave some fur behind. It's a nuisance, but it is the small price we pay for our pet's love and companionship.

Still, shedding raises many questions: Why do dogs seem to shed more in winter? Does heavy shedding indicate a health problem? Is it possible to prevent or reduce shedding? We chatted with Dr. Donna Spector, a board-certified veterinary Internal Medicine specialist from VCA Animal Hospital to get the lowdown on the shed.

Do dogs shed more in the winter?
Dogs appear to shed more in the winter, however, this is most often an illusion! Most dogs shed year-round. In the winter these dogs spend more time indoors and therefore owners tend to see more hair, giving the impression that they are shedding more. Some breeds do indeed have a seasonal shedding pattern and they tend to lose their heavier winter undercoat in the spring.

Can brushing your dog reduce shedding?
Shedding is an expected part of dog ownership and the hair is going to fall out one way or another. It is best to remove it and throw it away, rather than to let the hair fall out all over your house! I recommend brushing your dog once daily. Brushing cleans the coat, removes loose hair and stimulates the oil glands of the skin to keep skin soft and supple, which is especially important during the dry winter months.

Get Your Pet on Track For a Healthy 2010

by Jo Piazza (Subscribe to Jo Piazza's posts): Jan 1st 2010 @ 2:00PM Filed Under: Pet Health

Flickr/ggunson

Everyone gains a little weight over the holidays, and your pets are no exception. With all those extra table scraps flying around, you can bet your faithful companion has gained a little girth. Pets may not care about how they look when they pass by a mirror, but controlling a pet's weight is a crucial part of maintaining their health. Paw Nation chatted with Dr. Donna Spector, a board-certified veterinary Internal Medicine specialist from VCA Animal Hospital, to make sure you and your pet start off the New Year (and new decade!) right.

"It is estimated that 50 percent of U.S. pets are overweight or obese," Spector tells Paw Nation. "Obesity can be life threatening and contribute to many medical conditions such as diabetes and arthritis. Pets that stay at a healthy weight live longer and with less disease than overweight pets. Recognize that your pet has a weight problem and ask your veterinarian to determine the best weight and diet plan for them."

What is the best way to create a diet plan for my pet for the new year?
Just like people, proper diet and exercise are key to our pets staying healthy in 2010! Your veterinarian will need to make sure your pet has no medical problems contributing to their weight problem and this is usually done with basic blood and urine testing. Your veterinarian should give you a daily calorie recommendation for your pet that will allow him/her to safely lose the unwanted weight over a period of months.

Baby, It's Cold Outside: Should You Dress Your Dog for the Snow?

by Jo Piazza (Subscribe to Jo Piazza's posts): Dec 30th 2009 @ 3:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Pet Health, Pet Clothes

Flickr/chazferret

With temperatures dropping, staying inside is looking like a mighty good option. But it's hard to hole up in the house when you have a pooch that needs to go for a walk three times a day.

While you can bundle up to face the freeze, your pet just has their coat to keep them warm. Which brings us to the age-old dilemma: Should I put clothes on my pet because it is cold? We chatted with veterinarian Dr. Jill A. Richardson -- an expert in pet safety, vice president of My Dog Walks, a consultant for the Veterinary Information Network and an instructor for the Penn Foster Vet Tech Program -- about her medical opinion on the pet-iquette for dressing doggies in the winter.

Big dogs seem to hate wearing clothes of any kind. Do larger dogs need protection from the cold?
Most dogs have a good fur coat that will give them natural protection against cold weather. Some that have a thin coat, especially those native to warmer clients, may need a little extra protection when the temperature drops. However, it's very important to pick out pet clothing with safety in mind. Make sure that the clothing does not obstruct the pet's vision. Avoid buttons or accessories that could be chewed off and ingested by your pet.

Girl Meets Elephant; A Love Story

by Jo Piazza (Subscribe to Jo Piazza's posts): Dec 11th 2009 @ 4:00PM Filed Under:

Peggy Dyer

Katherine Connor used to be a busy career girl in London until an impromptu vacation to Thailand inspired her to give it all up and live in the Thai jungle with the elephants. Her journey over the past seven years has led to love, loss, a marriage, two kids and several elephants.

London's Daily Mail reports that Connor caught the elephant bug at age 21 while she was at a conservation camp in Northern Thailand and came face to face with baby elephant Boon Lot.

"As the baby elephant began to tug at my shoelaces, tears rolled down my cheeks. I had never even met an elephant before - but suddenly, every instinct in my body was telling me I had to care for this one," Connor says in a first person account of her story in the Daily Mail. "I had never experienced love at first sight - until now. I'm not sure what the other tourists thought of me as I stood there weeping, but I didn't care. I loved the elephant's little grey body covered in soft downy hair, and his twinkling eyes. I loved the powerful mother who stood watchful by his side."

Connor begged the owner of the sanctuary to allow her to stay and work for a few weeks as an unpaid volunteer.

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Miniature Dogs

Miniature Poodle
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David McKelvey/http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgmckelvey/3748491903/

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Dachshund
The Miniature Daschund, only 11 pounds or under, is not a separate classification of the Daschund -- it's just a smaller version of the Standard. The miniature dog, with its long bodies and strong sense of smell, are both hunters and lapdogs, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Schnauzer
The Miniature Schnauzer is of German descent and was originally bred to be a small farm dog. The most popular of the three Schnauzer breeds, the Miniature Schnauzer is a attentive, lively and a favorite among celebrities like Mary Tyler Moore and Bill Cosby. The strongly built miniature dog is between 12 to 14 inches, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Bull Terrier
Just like the playful Bull Terrier, the Miniature Bull Terrier, who originated in England, has a similar personality. Don't let its size fool you – the Miniature Bull Terrier is strong, energetic and audacious. Miniature Bull Terriers are between 10 to 15 inches and can be solid white or colored, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature American Eskimo Dog
The American Eskimo Dog is one of three separate categories of the American Eskimo Dog. Between 12 to 15 inches, the bright white dog is loving, protecting and sociable. Now a great companion dog, the miniature dog was once a circus dog, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Pinscher
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Miniature Dogs